Free cash flow takeaway
A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.
For the quarter, free cash flow margin improved from the prior quarter but remained below the year-ago level. Operating cash flow increased substantially from the prior quarter, while revenue was stable.
- Revenue was stable compared to the prior quarter, but operating cash flow was higher, leading to a higher free cash flow and margin. Capital expenditure was slightly higher than both comparison periods.
- Compared to the prior quarter, free cash flow and margin improved significantly. Compared to the same quarter one year earlier, free cash flow and margin were lower despite higher revenue.
FCF snapshot
Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.
TTM free cash flow
$6.2B
Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.
Quarter free cash flow
$5.9B
Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.
Operating cash flow
$6.7B
Cash generated by operations before capital spending.
CapEx
$853.0M
Capital spending and related asset purchases.
FCF margin
6.0%
The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.
Cash flow trend
A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.
| Period | Revenue | Operating CF | CapEx | FCF | FCF margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-09-30 | $92.4B | $6.9B | $838.0M | $6.1B | 6.6% |
| 2023-12-31 | $94.4B | -$5.2B | $959.0M | -$6.2B | -6.5% |
| 2024-03-31 | $99.8B | $1.1B | $743.0M | $401.0M | 0.4% |
| 2024-06-30 | $98.9B | $6.7B | $853.0M | $5.9B | 6.0% |
Cash conversion quality
Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.
| FCF / net income | 139.8% | Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash. |
| CapEx / revenue | 0.9% | Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin. |
| Net cash | -$48.8B | Cash and equivalents minus total debt. |
Recent events shaping cash flow
Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.
Operating Cash Flow Recovery
Operating cash flow rose sharply from the prior quarter, driving a significant improvement in free cash flow. This was the strongest observable factor in the quarter's performance.
This supported a higher free cash flow margin compared to the prior quarter.
What the cash flow says
How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.
Revenue was stable compared to the prior quarter, but operating cash flow was higher, leading to a higher free cash flow and margin. Capital expenditure was slightly higher than both comparison periods.
Compared to the prior quarter, free cash flow and margin improved significantly. Compared to the same quarter one year earlier, free cash flow and margin were lower despite higher revenue.
Monitor the trajectory of operating cash flow relative to revenue, as it is the primary driver of free cash flow.